MP says rap music can be toxic if no role model present

The Labour MP for Tottenham, in North London, has told Radio 5 live that rap music can be catastrophic to young people if they do not have male role models.

Speaking to Richard Bacon, David Lammy said that although he was brought up by his mother he believed that unless young men had male teachers or any male role models in their environment then those songs could be toxic.

Mr Lammy has written an account of the course of the riots in August 2011 in his book Out of the Ashes.